Sesaon of the Jakes

[Hoyt4]

Well I think I'm done for the 2011 spring. 6 birds 4 states that last Sunday morning getting up at 3am for 5 days I knew I was just about ready to call it a spring. I'm always ready to turkey hunt but the body was saying you need rest. Been going hard at it since the end of March.

We got to WI land on Tuesday night put some birds to bed. Got up and hiked up early to setup a blind on a field edge hoping we can get them to come out to us. We only had a few gobbles in the morning but knew there were at least a few Jakes and 4 Toms in the island of woods. The birds hit the ground I hit them with the lil heart breaker and they respond. Some still went away gobbling but two still seemed like they are playing the game. Finally one sounded off just behind the blind. He then worked east too circle us. His last gobble he was right next to us around the corner. Then we see a flash of something and no more gobbles. He was gone. We walk over to where he last was and see something head into the woods. We walk up and in also. At first we thought it was a large cat then we finally get one good look and it was a Fischer he came in and bust up the hunt.

We move around for most of the day and see birds and get setup a couple times nothing worked out. Head over in the evening to another chunk we have permission on. We check out a field the birds are in most the day. And sure enough a few birds in the field. My buddy only has one day to hunt so I said he has first shot and I will follow up. We watched a tom ,two jakes and 3 hens working to a small island of trees that we could get to easy. We make our way down from the top of the hill and circle around to get inside the island. Cut through and get to edge and did not spook the birds. Sit down right on the edge the birds are out about 80 yds. They start to cut on us and go to the back side and going to miss us. I called and got aggressive with cackles and cutting. The lead hen sparks up and calls back and comes back out the field and brings the rest of the group with and start working back to us up the wood edge.

Get the birds in range now I have an open shot at all the birds. I ask my buddy if he can shoot and he says yes. I plug my ears he shoots the tom rolls I get up and drill a Jake. Next thing I see my buddy running after his bird. It got up and ran. He chased after the bird but we did not find him after looking. We saw a bird come back out and fly so we think it was him. Felt really bad that was his chance. The Jake I shot was the smallest one ever. But on the sneak we did find a brute of a deer.

I hunted the next day getting close to fill my second tag but nothing. I had plans to meet up with a friend from ball about 30 miles away. So we hunted some public land on Friday and did not get anything in the morning. Headed to another chunk of public and setup that evening and had some luck. This was his Second Tom ever he took the first last season in MN. Again he would have first shot. Called this tom in with some hens Friday around 6pm. 23.5 11inch beard 1.5 spurs and 1 1/4 (broken off).What a great day he was really happy with the bird and I was just as happy .

Now Saturday nothing on to Sunday morning. I do not have any pictures but I shot another Jake. Took me 2 hrs to harvest this bird he sat in the open on Sunday for a couple hrs. I was able to make a move on him and get a good shot. He was 17lbs 6 inch beard. Had to do some belly crawling through Alphala for a long ways.

2011 4 Jakes two Toms and I don't think I could of had better spring with the weather I've been in since the end of March. I've been with on 3 other birds I called in for others this spring. The year has started out great and ready to get into a tree stand.

My finds during turkey season.

[Shu]

Nice job Hoyt4, you had quite the spring. Great pics and story too. Always fun to call in birds for your friends, almost as much fun as being the gunner. I might try one last day in MN on Saturday then I am done as well.

[sticknstring]

Wow - what a spring Hoyt! I bet it feels good to pack the turkey gear away and sleep in for awhile. It takes a toll after awhile but it sure is fun. You really hit the jackpot with those sheds/skulls too. Hopefully the good fortune will carry into the fall.

[DonBo]

A great spring for sure. But nice weather? Dang, haven't heard anybody talk about the nice weather this spring, you were sure lucky there.

I did three states this spring, and yes, I'm happy to be done, can only imagine how you feel. Can't wait to do it all over again next spring though huh?

[Borch]

I'm sure it feels good to sleep in a little bit. You definitely deserve it.

What a season!

Congrats!!!

[mrklean]

man that looks like a blast congrats